UN Security Council Discusses Situation In Myanmar, Military Regime Ready For Ceasefire

Illustration of Myanmar police and soldiers confronting protesters. (Twitter / @ yoonmay111)

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener is concerned about the development of conditions in Myanmar, while mentioning the possibility of bloodshed and civil war going on in Myanmar.

According to him, this was due to the actions of the Myanmar military regime apparatus, which were getting harsher day by day, against the February 1 military anti-coup protesters.

This was conveyed in a closed session with the UN Security Council, Wednesday, March 31 local time. He said the military that seized power in Myanmar was unable to run the country, warning that the situation on the ground would only get worse.

"Consider all the tools available to take collective action and do what is right, what the people of Myanmar deserve and prevent a multidimensional catastrophe in the heart of Asia," he said.

"The council must consider potentially significant action to reverse the course of events because bloodshed is imminent," he continued.

Britain called for a meeting at the United Nations in New York in response to worsening violence in Myanmar.

At least 521 civilians have been killed in protests against the February 1 military coup, of which 141 of them were on Saturday, the bloodiest day of unrest, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Separately, the Myanmar military regime declared a "ceasefire", although at the same time said it would continue to respond to actions that disturb security and government administration.

The ceasefire appeared to refer to actions being taken against armed ethnic groups, where fighting has escalated since the junta's seizure of power in a coup on February 1.

This is like a statement broadcast on Myanmar's state television, MRTV, calling on armed ethnic groups to keep the peace. The Myanmar military is also said to be suspending its operations from April 1-30.

However, those that are excluded from peace are those who 'disturb' the security of the government. There has been no response regarding this statement.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news surrounding the Myanmar military coup by tapping on this link.